Choosing the best BCAAs is difficult as there are many of these supplements on the pharmaceutical market. The concentration of valine, leucine and isoleucine in dietary supplements is very different: from 40% to 100%. In addition, manufacturers write on the label the composition of one capsule without taking into account its weight, which does not give a general idea of the value of the product and the adequacy of its cost. Therefore, our proposed BCAA rating, based on the recalculation of the reliable amount of each amino acid in the preparation, should greatly facilitate the task of acquiring the optimal product.
Accents
Selection criteria are based on the form of release, cost and concentration of active substances. The reputation of the manufacturer also plays an important role. The form is distinguished:
- Powders, in which the dosage of amino acids can be from 5 g to 12 g per serving.
- Tablets - from 50 mg to 1 g.
- Capsules - from 500 mg to 1.25 g.
- Solutions - 1 g to 1.5 g per teaspoon.
The form does not affect the assimilation of amino acids, except that the rate of utilization of nutrients by the body may be different. The powder is absorbed faster, since it has the highest concentration of amino acids, while capsules and tablets are more convenient to take. It is very unpleasant to drink the powder without flavors, it is almost impossible, since it is bitter. In addition, if the purification of dietary supplements is not up to the mark, then it dissolves poorly.
When buying, you should pay attention to the additives in the product. For example, B-alanine stimulates the synthesis of carnosine, which provides endurance to anaerobic stress. Lactulose promotes the growth of bifidumbacteria in the intestine. Glutamine promotes muscle growth. Dipeptides help simple elements to be absorbed. Citrulline removes metabolic products: lactic acid and ammonia compounds. Vitamins and minerals catalyze (i.e. accelerate) the growth of muscle fibers.
As for the cost, because of the flavorings, dietary supplements are more expensive, but drinking it is much more pleasant. However, the main influence is of course the concentration of the amino acids themselves in the supplements. The most common ratio of leucine-isoleucine-valine is 2: 1: 1, respectively, but there are both 4: 1: 1 and 8: 1: 1. It is worth recalling that the classic is always preferable, although it all depends on the individual characteristics of the athlete. Ideally, you need a supplement in the form of a liquid or gel with a minimum of flavors, a classic concentration of amino acids for economical use.
What is good and what is bad?
You can answer this question by understanding exactly the essence of the product's action. The amino acids in sports supplements are indispensable. The body does not produce them on its own and receives them from outside food. Without them, normal life is impossible.
It takes about an hour and a half from the moment amino acids enter the body with food and until they appear in the bloodstream. This is a lot for the exercising athlete, as muscle breakdown occurs when these acids are deficient. BCAA supplementation solves this problem by reducing the interval between intake and absorption by several times, up to several minutes. This is the very "good" that any conscientious manufacturer should guarantee, first of all. In other words, when buying a complex, you need to be confident in the company that produces it, in its reputation, honesty, and reliability. Professional demand for a product is a criterion for decency and reliability in this case.
The too low price of the product should be alarming. This is the very "bad" thing that must not be forgotten. Most often, the cheapness is dictated not by the absence of everything superfluous in the preparation, but by the old equipment that is not able to provide a high degree of amino acid purification. There is no need to talk about any quality in this case.
Credible Firms: MusclePhar, Optimum Nutrition, Nutrend, BioTech, FitMax, Olimp, BSN.
Top Best BCAA
As a reminder, this is an indicative rating based on the true amino acid content of the product. It shows how much of the active substance you actually have to pay for.
| Additive name | amount | BCAA concentration and ratio (leucine: valine: isoleucine) | Price in rubles | A photo |
| YOUR BCAA from Your Trainer | 210 g | 85% 2:1:1 | 550 |  |
| Amino BCAA 4200 by Maxler | 200 tablets 400 tablets | 64% 2:1:1 | 1250 2150 |  |
| AminoX-Fusion by Maxler | 414 g | 56% + 29% Glutamine, Alanine and Citrulline. 2:1:1 | 1500 |  |
| BCAA Powder 12000 by Ultimate Nutrition | 228 g 457 g | 79% 2:1:1 | 870 1 200 |  |
| Premium BCAA Powder by Weider | 500 g | 80% + 20% Glutamine (1500 mg) 2:1:1 | 2130 |  |
| BCAA 6000 by BioTech | 100 tablets | 100% 2:1:1 | 950 |  |
| BCAA by CULT | 250 g | 75% (the rest is carbohydrates) 4:1:1 | 500 |  |
| Dymatize BCAA complex 5050 | 300 g | 97% 2:1:1 | 1650 |  |
| BCAA-PRO 5000 by SAN | 345 g 690 g | 75% (the rest is Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine HCI), Micronized Beta Alanine) 2:1:1 | 1700 3600 |  |
| AMINO BCAA by WATT-N | 500 g | 100% 2:1:1 | 1550 |  |
It is worth emphasizing that when an athlete takes protein, and, as a rule, without this, strength training is useless for growing muscle mass, then he a priori receives a certain dose of BCAA when it breaks down. Another thing is that for each specific athlete, this dose may be either sufficient or not. This is especially difficult for a beginner to understand. Most often, protein is low, so the question arises about the additional purchase of BCAA.
Not included in the TOP
There are excellent tools that are not included in the top ten. Their special recalculation for the concentration of acids in accordance with the cost was not carried out, which does not detract from their merits. These include:
- Xtend from SciVation with a 2: 1: 1 amino acid ratio. Athletes named him the best in post-workout recovery. It additionally contains glutamine, which activates the synthesis of protein molecules, citrulline, which improves blood circulation, and therefore nutrition, oxygenation of muscle fibers, vitamin B6, which includes pyridoxine, pyridoxinal and pyridoxamine, which are catalysts for muscle growth. The cost is high: for 500 g - 2200 rubles.
- Modern from USPlabs with a ratio of 8: 1: 1. This ratio accelerates muscle hypertrophy. The complex also contains alanine, taurine, glutamine. The cost of 535 grams is 1800 rubles.
- Amino X from BSN (2: 1: 1). An ounce of powder contains 10 triad branches, plus taurine and citrulline. It is absorbed in 10 minutes, tones up, the taste is softened by flavors, which adds allergenicity to the drug. It costs 1200 rubles for 345 g, 1700 for 435 g and 2500 for 1010.
- Weider's Maximum BCAA Syntho (2: 1: 1) is a capsule, fast-absorbing 3-amino acid variant with alginic acid, B6 calorizer, K + salt. Accelerates the synthesis of protein molecules, muscle rehabilitation through nutrition and oxygen supply. For 120 capsules, you will have to pay about 1,500 rubles.
- BCAA 1000 caps from Optimum Nutrition (2: 1: 1). Economical, classics, suppresses muscle breakdown. The supplement costs 350 rubles for 60 capsules, 900 for 200 and 1500 for 400.
- EXTREME SHOT 4000 by Olimp is a solution with orange flavor in a 2: 1: 1 ratio. Added glutamine, which helps relieve pain under excessive exertion. Minus - possible sensitization by flavors. It costs 150 rubles for 60 ml.
- Nutrend Amino Mega Strong - Syrup with 0.5g Leucine, 2g Valine, 0.9 Isoleucine and 0.015g B6. Has a prolonged action. A liter costs 1 600 rubles.
- Universal Atomic 7 (2: 1: 1) increases workout efficiency, stimulates muscle gain, reduces fatigue, activates immunity and strengthens muscles. Costs: 384 g - 1210 rubles, 412 g - 1210, 1000 g - 4960, 1240 g - 2380.
If the question arises as to which is better: a classic in the form of a 2: 1: 1 ratio or an innovation 4: 1: 1, the answer lies in the leucine content. Novice athletes and athletes who focus not on whey protein, but on a gainer should give preference to the classics. Experienced athletes with specific goals choose concentrates with proportions of 3: 2: 2, 4: 1: 1, 8: 1: 1 and even 10: 1: 1.
Purchase
The purchase of BCAA is possible in different ways: in specialized stores, sports nutrition departments of sports hypermarkets and in online stores. Taking into account the production of complexes abroad and its rather tangible cost for the wallet, it is most economical to buy BCAA in the manufacturer's online store.
BCAA manufacturers also have their own rating. Top 5 looks like this:
- Olimp.
- OstroVit.
- MyProtein.
- SciTec.
- Ultimate.
- Optimum Nutrition.
Russian brands: Pure, Korona labs and others, except for the above-mentioned Your Coach, today do not withstand serious competition. They cannot be compared with American and European counterparts due to the lack of the necessary technologies that give the appropriate quality of processing and purification of biomaterial. At the same time, the price may not differ from their foreign counterparts. Therefore, based on the ratio of price and quality, it makes no sense to focus on them when buying. There are no benefits.
Polish firms confidently hold the palm among BCAA dietary supplements in terms of effectiveness: Olimp and OstroVit - the middle price segment, as well as slightly more expensive - MyProtein. In fairness, we note that American brands are not all worthy of attention. For example, the advertised company Weider, although it got into the TOP of BCAA supplements, produces, though good, but not the highest quality products, while their prices are very high. When choosing a decent dietary supplement, we advise you to focus on its objective rating, taking into account the cost.
